I was wondering when this story would finally come out! As a youth worker he was one of our bright lights.
I remember when he used to do a 11 to 12 hour shift, quickly have a 'hose wash' then jump in the car and shoot off to Warriors Juniors training. The coaches then used him as an example to the other juniors players saying that this guy (James) is what champions are made of. Whilst most of them didn't know what a hard days work was James often did 10 to 12 shifts 5, sometime 6 days a week. He was perpetually tired from work and trainings and the coaches admired him greatly for that.
I've been following James and Manu Ma'u's development for a few years now. Both have worked so hard to turn their lives around. They both went to primary school together and even though Jimmy left the Roskill area just before he went to high school he always kept going back to his Roskill 'roots'.
JDK members in the Roskill area were always telling them both to "get out and away from JDK but to never forget them" because no one had ever "made it from their hood' and that staying with JDK would kill their potential to succeed.
Since those heady days James has become an amazing youth leader amongst neighbourhoods where poverty and underprivilege is the norm. He has so many youth here in Auckland that look up to him not for where he is now but for his willingness to spend time with them at their level. He's a true youth leader in every sense; Tigers don't realise they've got a gold mine in him in terms of what he can do for and with kids. I hope he gets more opportunities to show his wares in that respect. He comes back every year to spend time with the youth he's developed relationships with over the years!
The other thing that members might be interested to know is he is VERY capable of handling himself if there are any dust ups! This boy can handle himself - trust me. Tyran Smith considered getting him into MMA after his split from the Dogs. Thankfully it turned out in his favour with the WTs,
Tomorrow night's game will be a watershed moment for James and Manu. Even one is Samoan and the other Tongan, they are 'brothers' in every way.
PL
